Definition
哪里 (nǎ lǐ) means 'where' in questions, and is the standard form; 哪儿 (nǎr) is its colloquial equivalent. As a polite reply to a compliment, 哪里 means 'not at all, you flatter me' — similar to 好说 (hǎo shuō) 'no problem' and 不敢当 (bù gǎn dāng) 'I don't deserve it', but 哪里 is the most common and humble. Be careful not to confuse 哪里 with 那里 (nà lǐ) 'there'.
pronoun
where(used to deny a compliment) not at allyou flatter me(in negative statements) anywherenowhere
Easily confused
- 那里nà lǐlook-alikethere, that place
Examples
- ，哪里。Tā shuō wǒ de shū hěn hǎo, wǒ shuō nǎ lǐ.He said my book is very good, and I said 'not at all'.
- 哪里？Nǐ nǎ lǐ?Where are you?
- 哪里。Wǒ nǎ lǐ yě bú qù.I'm not going anywhere.
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